Stones signs new Everton contract

Friday 08 August 2014

England international defender John Stones has signed a new five-year contract with Everton, BBC Sport has confirmed.

Stones had four years still to run on his current contract, but after a successful 2013/14 season the club have moved quickly to tie him to an even longer deal on improved terms reported to be worth around £30,000 a week. The new contract will see Stones remain with the Toffees until 2019.

Stones expressed his delight on signing the new agreement, saying: “I am over the moon. It's just been such a great last season and to get pen to paper on a new deal is a dream come true.”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez was equally happy that another of his young stars had committed his long term future to the club. “It is an important signing for the club and a really good reward for a young footballer with a fantastic future,” said Martinez. “He had an excellent season in 2013/14 and it's really good news all round.”

Stones moved to Goodison Park from hometown club Barnsley during the 2013 January transfer window for a reported fee of around £3 million, but had to wait until August for his Everton debut, in a Capital One Cup tie with Stevenage.

After a handful of substitute appearances in the first half of the season, the 20-year-old finally made his first Premier League start in January 2014, and established himself as a regular, making 15 starts in total as Martinez’s side finished fifth.

Despite his relative inexperience, his form was enough to earn him an England call-up, and he made substitute appearances in the pre-World Cup friendlies with Peru and Ecuador.

Stones is the third young star to agree a new long-term Everton contract this summer after Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman also signed fresh terms.

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